International Cost of Living Rankings - 1 April 2009

International cost of living rankings are the result of comparing the cost of a foreign personal budget, with the local prices for the same defined amounts of the same goods and services in different countries around the world.

Our results show that the compound effects of multiple global economic developments, the impact in each country, one way or another contribute to rapid significant changes in the relative cost of living of countries around the world.The changes in the relative cost of living are big and have occurred in a relatively short period of time. The reason for this is due to the fact that they are occurring simultaneously so many economic crises. 2008, the housing bubble was burst by the failure of a number of global funds / asset management, insurance and banking, followed giants. Some were liquidated or taken over, others were rescued with government funds. In 2009 we saw the continued decline in home prices, which manybelieve have not yet been down. Stock prices and market indexes to levels last seen a decade or more ago. The trend was for inflation and lower interest rates further in the developed and developing markets. Can we exchange rate volatility with a number of major economies shows that weaken its currency in recent years. The economic impact is more widespread around the globe. We are currently seeing a truly global recession with reduced demandfor the production of inputs and outputs as well as reducing energy demand and major job losses.

This study of 276 global locations in each country in the world. The study includes the cost of several hundred items that foreigners usually pay for their spending, basketballs are grouped into 13 groups. The results at 1 April 2009, the previous results of the 1st December 2008 compared. The index uses New York as the base (New York = 100). An index of more than 100, means that theCost of living higher than in New York, an index of less than 100 means that the cost of living is lower than New York.

Geneva has an index of living to 110, for example. This means that on average, goods and services that cost $ 100 in New York, $ 110 costs in Geneva. Each city is classified according to their overall view basket includes cost of living index, the cost for all groups.

A cost of living index rises or falls based on the local price of goods and services used inthe study and the prevailing exchange rate. As a general principle, a country with a currency that has risen against other currencies (strong currency) and where relatively high local inflation (rapid /) large price increases, usually an increase in the living experience compared to other countries. On the other hand, a country with a currency that has fallen against other currencies (weaker currency) and where it is relatively low local inflation is usually an experienceDecrease in cost of living compared to other countries. It is important to note that there are relative changes. Take London as another example. Only in December 2008, London was still on Place 6 most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live. As of April 2009 is the 23rd most expensive Place in the world for expatriates. This does not mean that local development has decreased the cost of living for expatriates living in London. What it means is that compared toelsewhere in the world, London is not as expensive as last year. What makes London a relatively low cost of living, as it is mainly due to the increase in the cost of living elsewhere, together with the weaker British pound.

These relative changes have important implications for the posted workers. An emigrant, in a high cost of living - a strong currency country like Hong Kong where the Hong Kong dollar is tied to the U.S. dollar will illustrate this. TheInflation makes it difficult to save due to high local prices; Household (accommodation including utilities) is very expensive especially. However, an emigrant, is in Hong Kong is now likely to find that money they send home has greatly increased spending power at home. Last year, the Hong Kong U.S. dollars increased 15% compared to the Malaysian ringgit, and 30% against the Indonesian rupiah and the Australian dollar.

The top 10 most expensive cities forExpatriates Live

Tokyo has maintained its status as the most expensive city in the world for expatriates to live. The cost of living index for Tokyo from 126 in December 2008 was increased to 143 by 1 April 2009, and the yen against the U.S. dollar strengthened. At the other end of the scale has to retain its status Harare as the cheapest city in the world and is number 276 with an index of only 17 and a currency that is still free in the case. Tokyo is to place 1 for HealthcareG, 2 for food and 2 Household (accommodation including utilities).

Hong Kong is now on place 2 with a total space increased from 33 in December 2008. The cost of living has increased from 103 to 121 and is on place 1 Expenses for household and 2 for Healthcare. It is interesting to note, however, that Hong Kong is expensive in all categories. It is the 202nd Rank for Alcohol and Tobacco, 226 for Arts & Culture, Education 227th, 247 andFurniture and household appliances.

Lagos is the 3rd the world's most expensive city for expatriates, after having its 11th Place. Today is the 1st Space for food and for furniture and appliance costs, 6 for Health Care and 18 for restaurants, hotels and meals out.

Caracas has substantially the rankings ranked 4th moved after only ranked 32nd in December 2008. It is to place 1 Expenditures for education, 5 for Healthcare and 6 Expenses for household use (housingincluding utilities).

Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea is the 5th Rank overall most expensive city for foreigners by the majority of goods and services imported from Australia. Port Moresby is at Rank 6 for Arts & Culture, 7 Office of Communications and Health Care, 8 and expensive clothing.

Geneva has been a slight 6th at the dropped after it ranked 4th in December 2008. It is on place 3 most expensive expenditure on transport, 11 for Arts & Culture, for the 15thHealthcare and 20 for clothing.

Dubai has in the top 10 most expensive cities in the world for expatriates moved for the first time live. Dubai is now ranked 7th, considerably 34th December 2008. The cost of living index has risen from 103 to 109 since December 2008. Today is the 1st Space for restaurants, meals out and hotel costs, 6 for clothing, for HealthCare 11th and 16 for food. Dubai is currently 4th Rank for household expenses (lodgingincluding utilities), is to be noted, however, that this significant decline in the next quarter, as it has been taken is relatively hard in the real estate with falling property prices and rents.

Doha has shifted in the global rankings to the top faster than any other city. In December 2008, Doha, ranked 45th the most expensive city for foreigners, it is now 8. The overall cost of living index has moved upwards of 101 to 109, like that of Dubai. It is the 2nd Space for restaurants,Out meals and hotel costs, 3 for clothing, 7 Household expenses (accommodation including utilities), 8 for food and for sport and culture, and the 10th for Healthcare.

Denmark has improved slightly as the 9th most expensive Place in the world fell for expatriates after they place 3rd in December 2008. It is on place 3 most expensive for food, Transport 5 and 15 for furniture and household appliances.

Hamilton, Bermuda's top 10 of the movable completed26 December despite the total cost of the remaining 108 index. Hamilton is the 4th expensive for education and health care, 10 for Personal Care, 11 Expenses for household space (accommodation including utilities) and 15 for food.

The complete general cost of living rankings:

Rank City

1 Japan, Tokyo
2 China, Hong Kong
3 Nigeria, Lagos
4 Venezuela, Caracas
5 Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby
6 Switzerland, Geneva
7 UnitedArab Emirates, Dubai
8 Qatar, Doha
9 Denmark, Copenhagen
10 Bermuda, Hamilton
11 Angola, Luanda
12 Switzerland, Zurich
13 Russia, Moscow
14 Solomon Islands, Honiara
15 Cameroon, Douala
16 Chad, N'djamena
17 Taiwan, Taipei
18 Liechtenstein, Vaduz
19 USA, New York, NY
20 New Caledonia, Noumea
21 Greenland, Nuuk
22 Ireland, Dublin
23 United Kingdom, London
24 France, Paris
25 Norway, Oslo
26 Italy, Milan
27 San Marino, SanMarino
28 USA, San Francisco, Calif.
29 Monaco, Monaco
30 Austria, Vienna
31 Bahamas, Nassau
32 Central African Republic, Bangui
33 Nauru, Yaren
34 USA, Boston, Mass.
35 Finland, Helsinki
36 Italy, Rome
37 Kazakhstan, Almaty
38 Cote D'Ivoire, Abidjan
39 Bahrain, Manama
40 Micronesia, Palikir
41 Isle of Man, Douglas
42 Haiti, Port-au-Prince
43 USA, San Jose, Calif.
44 Cameroon, Yaounde
45 Djibouti, Djibouti
46 Palau,Melekeok
47 Guinea-Bissau, Bissau
48 Azerbaijan, Baku
49 Benin, Cotonou
50 Slovakia, Bratislava
51 Belgium, Brussels
52 Netherlands, Amsterdam
53 Sao Tome and Principe, Sao Tome
54 Jersey, Saint Helier
55 Mali, Bamako
56 Gabon, Libreville
57 United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
58 Croatia, Zagreb
59 Singapore, Singapore
60 Ghana, Accra
61 Spain, Madrid
62 Ukraine, Kiev
63 USA, Philadelphia, Pa.
64 Cayman Islands, George Town
65 Sierra Leone,Freetown
66 Germany, Berlin
67 Czech Republic, Prague
68 United States, San Diego, Calif.
69 Jordan, Amman
70 Trinidad and Tobago, Port of Spain
71 USA, Los Angeles, Calif.
72 United States, Washington, DC
73 Estonia, Tallinn
74 USA, Baltimore MD
75 Falkland Islands, Stanley
76 Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
77 Guernsey, St Peter Port
78 Comoros, Moroni
79 Sudan, Khartoum
80, Federal Republic of Germany, Bonn
81 Vatican City, Vatican City
82 Canada, Toronto
83 Timor-Leste, Dili
84 Hungary,Budapest
85 USA, Seattle, Wash.
86 Brazil, Brasilia
87 Lebanon, Beirut
88 USA, Miami Fla.
89 Vanuatu, Port Vila
90 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
91 Jamaica, Kingston
92 Australia, Sydney
93 Kuwait, Kuwait City
94 Moldova, Chisinau
95 Democratic Rep. of Congo, Kinshasa
96 Germany, Frankfurt am Main
97 Tuvalu, Funafuti
98 Iceland, Reykjavik
99 Barbados, Bridgetown
100 Portugal, Lisbon
101 Mozambique, Maputo
102 Senegal, Dakar
103 Canada, Vancouver
104 Niger,Niamey
105 China, Beijing
106 Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
107 Turkey, Ankara
108 Togo, Lome
109 Equatorial Guinea, Malabo
110 Martinique, Fort-de-France
111 Armenia, Yerevan
112 U.S., Chicago, Ill
113 Liberia, Monrovia
114 Gibraltar, Gibraltar
115 Sweden, Stockholm
116 Somalia, Mogadishu
USA 117, Portland, Ore.
118 Israel, Jerusalem
119 Malta, Velletta
120 Puerto Rico, San Juan
121 Canada, Calgary
122 Rwanda, Kigali
123 Guam, Hagatna
124 BurkinaFaso, Ouagadougou
125 Zambia, Lusaka
126 Andorra, Andorra la Vella
127 Cyprus, Nicosia
128 U.S., Las Vegas, Nev.
129 Samoa, Apia
130 St. Helena, Jamestown
131 Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
132 Greece, Athens
133 Poland, Warsaw
134 Maldives, Male
135 Malawi, Lilongwe
136 Thailand, Bangkok
137 Indonesia, Jakarta
USA 138, Jacksonville, Fla.
139 Antigua and Barbuda, Saint John's
140 Gambia, Banjul
141 United Kingdom, Glasgow
142 Lithuania,Vilnius
143 Belarus, Minsk
144 USA, Dallas Tex.
145 Australia, Canberra
146 India, Mumbai
147 Australia, Melbourne
148 U.S., Denver, Colo.
149 Algeria, Algiers
150 Republic of Georgia, Tbilisi
151 Honduras, Tegucigalpa
USA 152, Atlanta GA
USA 153, Cleveland, Ohio
154 Canada, Montreal
USA 155, Milwaukee, Wis.
156 Congo, Brazzaville
157 Guinea, Conakry
158 Saint Kitts and Nevis, Basseterre
159 U.S., Detroit, Mich
160 Panama, Panama City
161 Latvia,Riga
162 Uganda, Kampala
163 Republic of Korea, Seoul
USA 164, Charlotte NC
165 Marshall Islands, Majuro
166 Australia, Perth
USA 167, Phoenix Ariz.
168 U.S., Columbus, Ohio
USA 169, Austin, Tex.
170 Madagascar, Antananarivo
171 U.S., Tampa Fla.
172 United Kingdom, Birmingham
173 Afghanistan, Kabul
174 Grenada, St. George's
175 Vietnam, Hanoi
176 U.S., Indianapolis, Ind
177 U.S., St. Louis, MO
178 St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Kingstown
179 Peru,Lima
180 Syria, Damascus
181 U.S., Fort Worth, Tex.
182 Slovenia, Ljubljana
183 Mauritania, Nouakchott
184 U.S., El Paso, Tex.
185 Philippines, Manila
186 China, Shanghai
USA 187, Memphis, Tenn.
188 U.S., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
189 Belize, Belmopan
190 India, New Delhi
191 Romania, Bucharest
192 Guatemala, Guatemala City
193 Iran, Tehran
194 Cape Verde, Praia
195 India, Chennai
USA 196, Houston, Tex.
197 Canada, Ottawa
198 Costa Rica, SanJose
199 Dominica, Roseau
200 Nicaragua, Managua
201 Guyana, Georgetown
202 Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
203 Bulgaria, Sofia
204 Suriname, Paramaribo
Cuba 205, Havana
206 Oman, Muscat
207 India, Calcutta
208 Mongolia, Ulan Bator
209 Tajikistan, Dushanbe
210 India, Hyderabad
211 Burundi, Bujumbura
USA 212, San Antonio, Tex.
213 Myanmar, Yangon
214 Uruguay, Montevideo
215 Paraguay, Asuncion
216 Albania, Tirana
217 Brunei, Bandar SeriBegawan
218 Mauritius, Port Louis
219 Fiji, Suva
220 Egypt, Cairo
221 Australia, Brisbane
222 El Salvador, San Salvador
223 Democratic Republic of Korea, Pyongyang
224 Laos, Vientiane
225 Mexico, Mexico City
226 Morocco, Rabat
227 India, Bangalore
228 Saint Lucia, Castries
229 New Zealand, Auckland
230 Kiribati, South Tarawa
231 Kosovo, Pristina
232 Kenya, Nairobi
233 Serbia, Belgrade
234 Bangladesh, Dhaka
235 Pakistan,Lahore
236 Bolivia, La Paz
237 Colombia, Bogota
238 Botswana, Gaberone
239 Sri Lanka, Colombo
240 Pakistan, Islamabad
241 Turkmenistan, Ashgabat
242 Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
243 Macedonia, Skopje
244 Pakistan, Karachi
245 Australia, Adelaide
246 Montenegro, Podgorica
247 Chile, Santiago
248 Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
249 China, Macao
250 Eritrea, Asmara
251 Iraq, Baghdad
252 Argentina, Buenos Aires
253 Bosnia and Herzegovina,Sarajevo
254 Uzbekistan, Tashkent
255 Ecuador, Quito
256 Nepal, Kathmandu
257 Tunisia, Tunis
258 Yemen, Sanaa
259 Bhutan, Thimphu
260 South Africa, Johannesburg
261 China, Shenzhen
262 Tonga, Nuku'alofa
263 China, Dalian
264 South Africa, Pretoria
265 Lesotho, Maseru
266 China, Wuhan
267 Namibia, Windhoek
268 Libya, Tripoli
269 South Africa, Cape Town
270 China, Guangzhou
271 Seychelles, Victoria
272 South Africa, Durban
273 Cambodia,Phnom Penh
274 Swaziland, Mbabane
275 China, Tianjin
276 Zimbabwe, Harare